NOTE: Nova Scotia (along with present-day New Brunswick and most of Maine) was formerly known by the French as Acadia until British control in 1713 (de facto 1710). Nova Scotia was first named as such in a 1621 grant by King James I of England.

Fort Francklin(1768), Tatamagouche
A briefly occupied British blockhouse on the supply route from Halifax to Charlottetown, PEI, via Cobequid (Onslow). It was protected by a moated earthen redoubt to the rear. The troops were removed after a few months to garrison Boston, MA during civil disturbances. The earthworks are possibly still extant. Located on Blockhouse Point on the western side of the mouth of the Tatamagouche River. The town was permanently settled by the British in 1770. The earlier Acadian village here was abandoned in August 1755.

Pictou Blockhouse(1812 - 1815), Pictou
During the War of 1812 an earthwork battery with a wooden blockhouse, magazine, and guardhouse, was built here to defend the town. Exact location undetermined.

Antigonish Armoury(1938 - 1939), Antigonish
A 4-inch naval gun was emplaced inside the provincial militia armoury in September 1938 for training purposes. It was removed and relocated to the Canso Strait Defences in October 1939.

¤ Melford Battery(1939 - 1945), Melford
Two 4-inch naval guns were located east of town to protect the rail barges (train ferry) carrying coal across the Canso Strait from Port Hawkesbury to Mulgrave. Two searchlights were also emplaced here. A third searchlight and a magnetic indicator loop station were located to the east at Eddy Point.

¤ Beacon Battery(1939 - 1944), near Auld's Cove
Originally located just south of Auld's Cove, relocated north in late 1940 or early 1941 to higher ground towards the Hefferman Point Lighthouse (East Havre Boucher), to improve the field of fire. Two 4-inch naval guns and an 18-pounder field gun were located here. The magazine and two gunblocks of both sites still exist, the second site is on private property. A private residence at the second site stands where the barracks were once located. Two searchlights and a magnetic indicator loop station were also located nearby. This post usually operated only in the summer months as the strait froze up during the winter. The gun crew was transferred to Battery Wolfe in Louisbourg for the winter months.NOTE: the Canso Causeway between Port Hastings and Auld's Cove was built in 1955.

During WWI (August 1914 - November 1915) an improvised timber blockhouse (as a lookout) was located near Auld's Cove. One 4.7-inch field gun may have been located here (see Canso Battery below).

¤ Mulgrave Camp(1940 - 1945), Mulgrave
The main cantonment area for the coast artillery and infantry units guarding the Canso Strait was located at McNair's Point, on the north side of the railroad two miles north of town. Machine gun nests were located here, and at Point Tupper across the strait.

¤ Canso Battery(1914 - 1917), Canso
During WWI (August 1914 - November 1915) two improvised timber blockhouses (as lookouts) were located east and west of Hazel Hill. Two 4.7-inch field guns were emplaced at undetermined locations, one or both probably near Canso. One gun was removed in March 1915, the other removed in November 1915. In October 1916 one 4.7-inch field gun was re-emplaced in the area (undetermined location), but was again removed in May 1917 to Fort Petrie near Sydney.

Chédabouctou Fort(1636, 1659 - unknown), Guysborough
A French fort was once located here, built by Nicolas Denys in 1659. It was rebuilt several times.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Guysborough Blockhouse(1812 - 1815), Guysborough
A blockhouse and gun battery was built here to defend the town's harbour. Probably the same post as below.

Manchester Blockhouse(1812 - 1815), Manchester
During the War of 1812 an earthwork battery with a wooden blockhouse, magazine, and guardhouse, was built here to defend the town. Probably the same post as above.

Fort William Augustus(Canso Islands and Grassy Island Fort National Historic Sites)(1721 - 1744, 1745), Grassy Island
Located offshore from Canso. Only earthwork ruins remain of a British four point star-shaped fort on the hill overlooking the spit. Also known as Grassy Island Fort. A blockhouse was built in 1735. It was attacked and burned by the French in May 1744. Another blockhouse was later built here in April-May 1745 by William Pepperell supporting the seige against Louisbourg. It was abandoned later that year. British militia troops were first posted here in 1720 at Fort Phillipps, located on the western spit. Free public access by boat from the Canso Islands NHS Visitor Centre. See alsoCanadian Register of Historic Places(additional info provided by Terry Deveau)

Sable Island Fort
(Sable Island National Park Reserve)(1598 - 1602 ?), Sable Island
An early French settlement, made by 40 colonists under the Marquis de La Roche. Crude houses and a storehouse were built, probably with defensive earthworks. In 1601 or 1602 the colonists mutinied, killing the commander and several others. The eleven destitute survivors were found and rescued in 1603. Sable Island was then, and still is, sandy and treeless. Access only by special government permission through Environment Canada.

Lawrencetown Fort(1754 - 1757), Lawrencetown
A blockhouse and stockade defended this failed early settlement. The town would be resettled much later.

(see page 2 for Halifax - Dartmouth area forts)

Chester Blockhouse(1759 - 1814), Chester
A militia blockhouse was located on Blockhouse Hill on Duke Street. Attacked by American privateers in July 1782. The women of the town had paraded around the blockhouse with red capes and broomsticks, imitating the local militia and fooling the Americans into backing off. This event is recreated annually every August. The blockhouse was converted to a private residence sometime after 1815, now known as the Wisteria Cottage House. Two of the original 24-pounder guns are now on display (since 1967) at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall at Union and Duke Streets.(thanks to Mark Wilson for providing info)

Mahone Bay Blockhouse(1754 - unknown), Mahone Bay
A timber blockhouse was built here under Captain Ephraim Cook to protect German and Swiss Protestant settlers. Information at the Settlers Museum on Main Street. (NOTE: this post may have been located at the present community of Blockhouse just to the west at the junction of Highways 324 and 325. It is reported that an old blockhouse here was burned down in 1874.)

Lunenburg Blockhouses(1753 - 1815), Lunenburg
Several blockhouses were erected here to protect the harbour over the years. At least two were built on the peninsula in 1753; several were located behind (west of) the town in 1756; one with a six-gun battery was built on Windmill Hill in 1812; and one with a four-gun battery was built on Jesser's Point in 1813. Blockhouse Hill has extant earthworks (1812 era ?) and an 1848 cannon on display. American privateers attacked the town in July 1782, capturing and burning the blockhouse on Blockhouse Hill. The Old Town district was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The town's new Visitor Information Centre is located in a replica blockhouse on Blockhouse Hill.

The Nova Scotia colonial government in 1760 tried to establish here a centralized trade post or factory, under military control, to regulate the region's fur trade.

Camp Norway(1940 - 1943), Lunenburg
A Royal Norwegian Navy training depot for merchant seamen and whalers who were being taken into the navy. Established after Norway had been invaded by Germany while most of her merchant fleet had been out to sea. For security reasons, its location was simply referred to as "somewhere on the East Coast of Canada". The camp was officially opened on November 29th, 1940 (although crews had been arriving since September), and consisted of a 800-man barracks located on a two-acre site on the south side of the town. Later, a mess hall, two storage buildings, a garage and a carpentry shop were added. Many of the original buildings still exist and are owned and occupied by ABCO Industries, and the metal sign over the main gate still proclaims it to be Camp Norway. Norway has compulsory military service so most of these men had already been through basic training and were listed as reservists. At the same time, merchant ships were being equipped, as fast as possible, with some armament, usually a 4-inch gun on the stern and pom-poms on the upper superstructure. Trained gunners were obviously needed and at first the gun crews on Norwegian ships were British army or navy. Consequently, Camp Norway took on the additional task of training gunners for the merchant fleet. The camp had a training ship, the Moss, and a variety of weaponry. With the permission of the Canadian authorities the Norwegians placed two 75mm guns to cover the entrance to the harbour and then, at the request of the Canadians, Camp Norway was incorporated into the Canadian coastal defence system. The camp lasted until the Gunnery School was transferred to Travers Island, New York, in June 1943. By that time it had trained about 450 men as crew members for the converted whale ships and other vessels, and 635 gunners for armed merchant ships.

Fort Ste. Marie de Grace (National Historic Site) (1632 - 1636), La Have
Built by Isaac de Razilly, first governor of Acadia, and served as the first capital of Acadia. Also known as Fort La Have (1). Abandoned when Port Royal was resettled. The Fort Point Museum, a former lighthouse keeper's house, is located on the site, along with a rock cairn memorial (1929).

La Have Blockhouse (2)(1812 - 1815), La Have
During the War of 1812 an earthwork battery with a wooden blockhouse, magazine, and guardhouse, was built here to defend the town. Probably located at Fort Point.

Fort Morris
(Fort Point Lighthouse Park)(1763 - 1815), Liverpool
Originally a signal station, then a local militia five-gun earthwork battery by the time of the American Revolution. It was attacked by American privateers in 1780 as reprisal against Loyalist privateer raids in New England in 1777 - 1778. A blockhouse was later built here in 1813 with a new three-gun battery. Two advance batteries were also built at Wreck Point and at Black Point in 1812. A 1936 rock cairn and cannon display serve as a memorial to early French exploration and to local privateers in the American Revolution and War of 1812 eras. A museum with a model of the fort is located in the 1855 lighthouse.

Fort Carleton(1783 - 1791 ?), Gunning Cove
A British fort was once located at Fort Point (previously named Scarborough Point, then renamed Carleton Point when fortified). It was dismantled after less than a decade of use.

Shelburne Blockhouse(1812 - 1815), Shelburne
Built here during the War of 1812 was an earthwork battery with a wooden blockhouse, magazine, and guardhouse. Exact location undetermined.

¤¤ Fort McNutt(1941 - 1944), McNutt's Island
Located near the Cape Roseway Lighthouse (built 1788, destroyed by fire in 1959, rebuilt 1961), armed with two American-made 10-inch M1888 guns on M1893 barbette carriages, both of which still remain as rusted relics. Garrisoned by the 104th Coast Artillery Battery. The Port of Shelburne was designated as an alternate port to Halifax Harbour during WWII. The island is accessible by ferry from Gunning Cove. See alsoPHOTOS from Urbex Obsession.com

Near Round Bay, at Red Head, was an observation post.

¤¤ Government Point Battery(1939 - 1944), south of Jordan Bay
Two casemated 4.7-inch guns and a searchlight position were located here. The concrete casemates still exist.
A subpost of the HMCS Shelburne Royal Canadian Naval Station (CFS Shelburne after 1968) was later located here from 1955 - 1995.

¤¤ Tea Chest Battery(1939 - 1942), south of Sandy Point
A two-gun 75mm AMTB battery was located here, near Tea Chest Island, then relocated to Sandy Point.

¤¤ Sandy Point Battery(1942 - 1944), Sandy Point
The AMTB battery from Tea Chest was relocated here to better protect the RCAF seaplane base built here in June 1942. The nearby Sandy Point Lighthouse was built in 1903.

Fort St. Louis(1623 - 1635), Port La Tour
Built by Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour. Attacked by the British in 1629 and 1630. Charles' father Claude was involved in the 1630 attack. Site is marked by a stone cairn (1937). Cannons and other artifacts are on display at the Western Counties Military Museum in Barrington. (NOTE: The fort was rebuilt after the second attack in 1630, and debate exists that may place the actual location of the new fort at Sand Hills Beach.)

Fort Loméron(1630 - 1640 ?), Centreville
A French trading post / mission at McGray's Cove on Cape Sable Island, built by Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour. The settlement on Cape Sable Island was attacked and destroyed in 1630 by the British, who then rebuilt the post, renamed Fort Preble, as a base to attack Fort St. Louis.(thanks to Robert Stewart, Western Counties Military Museum, for providing info)

Yarmouth Blockhouse(1812 - 1815), Yarmouth
Located on Bunkers Peninsula was a four-gun earthwork battery with a wooden blockhouse, magazine, and guardhouse. It was later abandoned.

Located in town on the "Rock" at Rock Cottage Lane was a powder magazine and militia storeroom (1812 - 1815).

Yarmouth Battery(1940's), Yarmouth
One 18-pounder gun was emplaced on the ferry terminal pier that was used during WWII. The old pier from that time no longer exists.

Weymouth Fort(1812 ?), Weymouth North
There is a "Fort Point" located at the mouth of the Sissiboo River. The town was established in 1783, although settlement first began in the 1760's. A blockhouse may have been located here during the War of 1812.

Digby Gut Blockhouses(1812 - 1815), Digby
Three blockhouses were built to defend the town. One was on the hill overlooking the town, and the other two were to the east (Victoria Beach) and west (Bayview) of the Digby Gut, each with four-gun batteries. They were later abandoned. The earthwork of the Bayview battery still exists, with three old guns (1760's era) still remaining. This site is owned by Parks Canada, but not generally accessible to the public. A fourth gun said to be from this battery is located on the Admiral's Walk in Digby. (NOTE: the six cannons displayed in Loyalist Park along the boardwalk were manufactured in the 1840's.)

There were once French plans for a work at present-day Victoria Beach, but it was probably never built.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing additional info)

Port Royal Habitation (1) (National Historic Site) (1605 - 1623), Port Royal
The 1604 French settlement from St. Croix Island, Maine moved here during the next season for better conditions. English raiders from Virginia attacked and burned the settlement in November 1613. It was soon rebuilt by Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour and his father Claude, both of whom had remained behind with the Indians, and lasted until 1623 when attacked again. La Tour then moved to Cape Sable Island. In 1636 the French resumed the settlement at present-day Annapolis Royal. Reconstructed in 1939.

Fort Charles (National Historic Site) (1629 - 1632), Annapolis Royal
Two boatloads of Scots settlers and troops, led by William Alexander, Jr., built this fort across from the former French fort at Port Royal. They were evicted by the French in 1632. The ruins are buried under Fort Anne's outerworks. Also known as Scotch or Scots Fort in historical references. See alsoCanadian Register of Historic Places

Fort Anne(National Historic Site) (1636 - 1797, 1812 - 1815), Annapolis Royal
The French resumed the Port Royal settlement here in 1636 and built an earthworks fort for defence (Port Royal Fort (2). This became the new capital of Acadia. Captured by British troops under Major Robert Sedgewick in July 1654. The fort was no longer in use by 1686, and the British easily captured the town in May 1690. It was returned by treaty in 1697. The French rebuilt the fort in 1702 as a square earthwork with four bastions. This fort still stands today. It withstood British attacks in 1704, and June and August 1707. The South Magazine was built in 1708, the oldest extant detached magazine in colonial British North America. The British captured the fort a final time in October 1710, renamed the fort, and also renamed the settlement to Annapolis Royal. Both the French and the British had fortified nearby Goat Island. The "Black Hole" Magazine was built in 1790. The Officers' Quarters was built in 1797. A wooden blockhouse was built within the remains of Fort Anne in 1812. It was demolished for firewood in 1882. Annapolis Royal served as the capital of the province until 1749 when Halifax was established. This is Canada's oldest National Historic Site.

The Nova Scotia colonial government in 1760 tried to establish here a centralized trade post or factory, under military control, to regulate the region's fur trade.

Fort Mohawk(1712 - 1714, 1744 - 1749), Annapolis Royal
A British blockhouse originally built for the use of New York Mohawk Indians against the local Micmaq Indians. It was still standing in 1729 when it was used as a chapel. The blockhouse was rebuilt by John Gorham's Rangers (also Mohawk Indians from New York) in 1744 near the original location. The garrison transferred to Halifax, then to Fort Sackville in 1749. The blockhouse was transported to Minas in 1749. A monument is located near the end of Lower St. George Street.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Camp Aldershot
(Land Force Atlantic Area Training Centre - Aldershot)(1890's - present), near Kentville
During the 1890's and the lead up to the Boer War in South Africa, the British Army, which was responsible for Canada's defence until 1906, established a training area for Canadian Militia units in the western part of Kings County between the communities of Aylesford and Kingston. In 1904 the facility was moved to its present site on 1136 hectares (2810 acres) northwest of Kentville with its southern boundary along the Cornwallis River. The eastern boundary of the camp abutted the Cornwallis Valley Railway which operated north from Kentville to Kingsport. The Canadian Department of Militia and Defence took over administration of the facility from the British Army in 1906. Used almost exclusively as a militia facility from its inception, various units of cavalry, infantry and artillery from across Nova Scotia received training here. Few permanent structures were established in the early years, with the troops being required to erect canvas tents during training and to stable horses in the open.
Camp Aldershot saw extensive use during the First World War with in excess of 7000 soldiers being trained for the infantry at any particular time. Temporary buildings were constructed to house messes and cookhouses, as well as a camp hospital, however most soldiers training at Camp Aldershot during this time period were housed in canvas tents. Temporary structures were removed following the armistice in 1918 and the camp reverted to its previous use as a militia training facility, seeing very light use throughout the inter-war period when Canada's military underwent extensive downsizing.

The camp underwent significant expansion during the Second World War with numerous new buildings constructed between 1939 and 1943. Only a single building from the First World War was retained, while water and sewer systems were installed in the camp's headquarters area, firing ranges and parade squares established and various support buildings and barracks. Despite the construction of barracks, the huge influx of soldiers required the use of tents for housing along with temporary cookhouses.
Following the war, Camp Aldershot went into decline, however its well-constructed Second World War-era facilities were maintained given the tensions of the Cold War. In 1953 the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada returned from service in the Korean War and the First and Second Battalions were stationed at Camp Aldershot. From 1953 to 1959, Camp Aldershot saw significant use while housing this regular force unit.
The Black Watch rotated to West Germany in 1959 and was stationed at the newly constructed Camp Gagetown in New Brunswick upon its return, delivering a significant blow to Camp Aldershot, which had no regular force units returning to fill the void. Camp Aldershot was left with the Canadian Army's reserve militia units from Nova Scotia as its primary users, primarily the West Nova Scotia Regiment, however the Royal Canadian Army Cadets also used the camp as a Cadet Summer Training Centre (CSTC) from 1948 - 1971.

The late 1960's saw numerous changes to Canada's military during the turmoil surrounding the unification of the Canadian Forces. Camp Aldershot underwent more decline as facility rationalization throughout the military took place and the army cadets established ACSTC Argonaut at CFB Gagetown. Rumours of the camp being declared surplus began during the early 1970's when military activity was at an all-time low, thus the new Atlantic Militia Area of Force Mobile Command began to increase training of reservists at the newly designated Militia Training Centre on the site in 1973. The use of the term "Camp Aldershot" was officially discontinued in lieu of Aldershot Range and Training Area.
Training continued at ARTA through the 1970's and 1980's until the mid-1990's when the camp was designated to become host to the newly-formed Land Force Atlantic Area Training Centre, officially termed LFAA TC Aldershot. Since then the majority of the Second World War-era buildings have been replaced by new construction, although the single First World War-era structure that was maintained has been incorporated as the new Officers' Mess. Currently LFAA TC Aldershot provides the majority of training for LFAA reserve units during the summer months, as well as a training area for Nova Scotia reserve units through the remainder of the year.

Minas Stockade(1746 - 1747, 1749 - 1753, 1760), Grand Pré
A triangular stockade was built around three deserted Acadian houses by British troops as a stop-gap measure before winter set in. They arrived too late for time to build a proper fort. The blockhouse from Annapolis Royal (Fort Mohawk) was then erected here in 1749. The garrison transferred to Fort Edward in 1753. The blockhouse was rebuilt in 1760 and named Fort Montague. The old village stockade was also known as Fort Vieux Logis.

A French fort may have earlier been located east of here at the mouth of the Gaspereau River.(additional info provided by Terry Deveau)

The Planters' Barracks(1778 - 1782), Starrs Point
A local militia two-story barracks built to protect the town against American privateers during the American Revolution. Sold in 1782 and thereafter used as a private residence. Restored in 1992 and operated as a historic country inn, but now again a private residence. Located at 1464 Starrs Point Road.

Cornwallis Fort(1760 - unknown), Kentville
A palisaded British fort with four guns. Remains were still visible until 1850. Kentville was originally named Cornwallis.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Fort at New Minas(1740's ?), New Minas
Probably an Acadian stone house that was referred to as a "fort" by the British settlers in 1760.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Falmouth Fort(1760), Falmouth
A British fort or blockhouse was probably built here.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Fort Edward (1)
(National Historic Site) (1750 - 1850, 1915 - 1918), Windsor
This is the oldest surviving wooden military blockhouse in Canada, and possibly in all of North America. Some traces of earthworks are still visible. It was also actively garrisoned during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Also known as Piziquid Post, and also West Point Blockhouse. The fortifications gradually fell into disrepair but the grounds were continued to be used by the local militia for training as well as for the site of the Windsor Agricultural Fair. During World War I, the fort grounds also served as a muster camp and training depot for troops from the Annapolis Valley waiting to go overseas, which was popularly known as Camp Fort Edward. The 1812 era Officers' quarters burned down in 1922. See alsoCanadian Register of Historic Places - entry #1 || Canadian Register of Historic Places - entry #2

The Nova Scotia colonial government in 1760 tried to establish here a centralized trade post or factory, under military control, to regulate the region's fur trade.

Fort Ellis(1761), Stewiacke
A temporary British fort or blockhouse located at the junction of the Shubenacadie and Stewiacke Rivers.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Fort Belcher(unknown date), Colchester County
A military post once located on the Salmon River, probably no remains.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Parrsboro Blockhouses(1812 - 1815), Parrsboro
Two wooden British blockhouses with barracks that protected the small harbour, on a hill overlooking Partridge Island. A gunboat protected the ferry crossing. One of the blockhouses reportedly still had visible remains until well into the 20th century.

Fort Beaubassin(1672 - 1750 ?), near Amherst
A fortified French settlement of several families from Port Royal. The village was evacuated in 1750 for Beauséjour, NB.

Fort Lawrence (National Historic Site) (1750 - 1756), near Amherst
Built by the British adjacent to the then abandoned Acadian village Beaubassin to keep the French in Acadia (New Brunswick) from crossing into British territory. There were two blockhouses within the square palisade. After the capture of Fort Beauséjour, NB in 1755, the British burned down Fort Lawrence in 1756 when it was no longer needed. A stone cairn near the present railroad marks the location, adjacent to a dairy farm. Earthworks were still visible until 1991. See alsoHistoric Markers near Fort Cumberland, NB

Chignecto Post(1760), near Amherst
The Nova Scotia colonial government tried to establish a centralized trade post or factory, under military control, to regulate the region's fur trade.

Fort Grunt(unknown date), Cape Spencer
The name appears on several old maps, no further data.(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

WWII Air Defence Radar Stations(1942 - 1945), various locations
The Royal Canadian Air Force - North Atlantic Region (RCAF Group 1) operated several air defence radar stations, employing the Chain Home Low early warning radar. Initially the stations were called "Radio Detachments" and in 1943 the title "Radio Unit" was adopted. The term "RADAR" was not adopted by Canadians until late 1943. The chain ceased operations with the war's end in mid 1945. The RCAF radar sites were located at Tusket Island, Brooklyn (Queens Co.), Preston, Port Dufferin, Queensport, Louisbourg, and Bell Lake (Dartmouth).

ALSO OF INTEREST: Located north of Halifax in Debert is the former Camp Debert Regional Emergency Government Headquarters Bunker, built in 1961-64 to house up to 350 Nova Scotia government officials during a nuclear war or other major crisis. It was decomissioned in 1998, sold in 2008, and sold again in 2012 to a private developer.

NEED MORE INFO:
Towns: Blockhouse, west of Mahone Bay in Lunenburg County.

Special thanks to Robert D. Zink of the Coast Defense Study Group for providing info on the Coast Artillery Defences of Canso Strait, Shelburne Harbour, and Yarmouth.